Well, after looking for a few years, I finally found a fillet-brazed Sports Tourer in my size for under a C-note. A very nice yellow '71 too as it was a former Schwinn dealer's personal bike. Original with Brooks B15, TA crank, Atom pedals, Dia-Comp ctrpulls, Weinmann/Normandy wheels, randonneur bars and Campy GTourismo derail. Since it was presentably clean as-is, I just CLA'd the running gear and took her for a ride.

The ride was extremely smooth and stable with nothing bent or misaligned. Those beefy 27x1-1/4 wheels running at 70psi handled little potholes and sidewalk breaks with aplomb instead of cringe. She was good to me today, so tomorrow I'll happily polish each of her chrome-plated double-butted spokes before taking her out again.

by: 207.200.116.195

Schwinn Sports Tourer posted by John E on 8/15/2005 at 7:26:11 PM

Thanks for posting, Jack. I agree with you about the tyres, finding 27x1-1/4 or 27x1-3/8 to be a superb, practical, comfortable compromise between high-performance racing tyres and mountain bike tyres. For safety, one pretty much needs 70 or 80 PSI tyres for rims with straight, non-hooked inner walls.

The bike sounds like a nice find. by: 66.185.168.82

RE: Schwinn Sports Tourer posted by Gralyn on 8/17/2005 at 1:51:12 AM

Now you're inspiring me to get down my 71 Sports Tourer (green) and clean, polish, re-build, etc. and give it a really good ride! by: 205.188.117.71

Wow, a green one!...for some reason most ones I get are yellow. Anyway, been workin on it after work and ridin it around. Nice ride...weighs 30 lbs with rack, chrome pump and bottle cage. That's a little more than I'm used to but since its flat here it doesn't matter much. Acceleration is slow but once she's moving watch out! The thing I like best, if I had to choose, the B-15 saddle...my first and very comfy!

Something odd happened though. In servicing headset found small (1/8"?) bb retainer on top and larger (5/32?) retainer on bottom. The bottom one was clearly marked Schwinn. I don't remember 2 different sizes on other ST or SuperSports? Yet when I tried to fit bottom retainer on top and visa-versa it wouldn't fit so it must be right. The only explanation I can give is lower bearing works harder than top so Schwinn could save a nickel here. Anyone run across this too? by: 207.200.116.137

I've got a 1973 Sports Tourer frame in Lime(candy color). According to the catalogs, Lime was not offered on the ST until 1975. Unfortunately, the guy I bought it from threw away the original fork. He didn't like it because it was not chrome-moly.

Regarding the headset bearings, I never measured them, but I seem to remember the bottom bearings being larger than the top bearings on the sixties and seventies vintage Schwinns. I don't remember if it is all of them, or just some. by: 168.236.254.1

According to my serial # - mine is a 71....and I recall - from the '71 catalog.....you could get yellow and green.I haven't weighed mine.....ChroMo frame, alloy wheels, alloy cranks, alloy bars and stem.....but I believe it has the chrome kick stand built-in....and I think the shifters are maybe chrome, too. by: 198.137.214.36

You know.....you're right. I had it in my head it was a '71 model. But looking back at the catalogs......it's an opaque green....'72 model. by: 205.188.117.71

RE:RE:RE: '71 ST colors posted by Gralyn on 8/18/2005 at 1:55:29 AM

.....no......maybe not.....Here's the deal: I was thinking it was a 71.....but per the catalog.....there were no green 71's.......but there were green 72's. I know that originally, I had come up with 71 - going by the serial number. According to the serial number chart....mine was made in 71. Actually, December of '71. I suppose it was made in '71....but made as a '72 model. That's why I thought of it as a '71. by: 205.188.117.71

RE: Schwinn model years posted by Eric Amlie on 8/18/2005 at 12:45:40 PM

It's not at all unusual to see a serial number from the previous model year, especially in the late months of the year as your's is. I think Opaque Green was a one year only color for 1972. It's also not too unusual to find a different color on a particular model which is not listed in the catalog for that year(as in my lime '73). The catalogs were put together during the previous year and things sometimes got changed around by the time of actual production. The catalogs are not end all of knowledge about what was actually available, and when. by: 168.236.254.1

I have a 71 sports tourer that is opaque blue (72 color) and a 72 sports tourer that is opaque red. The 71 frame was probably made in 1971 but assembled and sold in 72. I was told by Tom Findley that the red sports tourer was a mock up to gauge dealer interest for the 1974 year. I am always curious as to why TA or Nervar cranks were used. Also,early STs seem to have DiaCompe brakes. And when did the stems change? I have these two bikes and just bought a 1973 World Voyageur. They are all great. by: 52.128.30.23

Hmmm, according to Whole lotta brazin goin on, the fork on the SuperSport changed in 71, not Sports Tourer?

My KG (71) ST has TA crank and round stem. My KK (74) ST has Nervar and flat-top stem. I know the 71 is original...I believe the 74 is original.

I suspect there are several reasons why TA and Nervar were used: Schwinn was an old conservative company. They had been sourcing euro components for years, so why look to Japan? Also, euro components had a track record and some brand loyalty in US. Back in the 50s and 60's, japanese products were considered same as chinese are today...inferior. by: 207.200.116.137

"Hmmm, according to Whole lotta brazin goin on, the fork on the SuperSport changed in 71, not Sports Tourer?"

1971 was the first year for the Sports Tourer. It bumped the Super Sport down from 2nd in the Schwinn Hierarchy to 3rd. The Super Sport was downgraded in 1971 to a certain extent. Previously it had forged Huret dropouts with an integral derailleur hanger on the rear. In 1971 it got the same stamped steel dropouts sans derailleur hanger as the rest of the lower echelon Schwinns, and the new Sports Tourer got the forged Huret dropouts. Also previous to 1971 the Super Sport had a fully chromed fork(not chrome-moly though). Starting in 1971 the Super Sport fork was fully painted and had a chromed crown cover(or was the crown actually chromed?). The Sports Tourer fork was painted but had chromed ends(still not a chrome-moly fork though). by: 168.236.254.1

Eric, I agree with all you've said, except the "whole lot of brazin" article (sheldonbrown) states on pg 6 of 11 that both 71-75 Sports Tourer and 76-78 Superior had "chrome-plated CrMo fork". Is the author mistaken? I seem to recall a few months ago comparing ST and SS forks and the ST seemed lighter? I will pull-off a fork and weigh both if I have to! by: 207.200.116.137

RE: Fork posted by Eric Amlie on 8/22/2005 at 1:03:05 PM

Jack, I suppose it's possible, but I can't find anything in any of my Schwinn literature that says that the fork was chrome-moly. I would think this would be a feature that Schwinn would want to brag up. I suppose we should give the author of the article the benefit of the doubt, but until I see something from Schwinn about it(or weigh a ST fork against a known high tensile steel fork of the same size as you suggest)I remain skeptical. by: 168.236.254.1

I still own my Sports Tourer, which I purchased new in March, 1972 (manufactured in October 1971). It is Lemon Yellow, (I actually ordered that color) and is all original except for the rear Campagnolo derailleur, which I gladly removed and tossed in 1975, the braking levers allowing for upright riding and the TA chain guard. Although my biking buddies referred to it as a "lead sled" I never had any trouble holding my own with it. Now at age 51, I look at it and have wonderful memories of tearing up the roads with it. Any other one-owner STs out there? by: 75.120.119.248

From 72 to 77 had a '72 Sports Tourer as only transportation, in Opaque Green, upgraded to full Campy, except for Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket, changes wheels to Mavic and silks, seat to B-17 and handle bars to Chinelli w/TTT stem. Dumped it and broke my ankle and sold it and all original and spare parts for 300. Been sorry since the day I did it. Have a Ciocc, and Bianchi in celeste, and still look back to the Schwinn as the best bike I owned. by: 170.215.214.102

RE: Schwinn Sports Tourer posted by John Olson on 5/17/2007 at 4:21:48 AM

Reply to Jeff Kirby. I too have my original 1972 Orange Sports Tourer. I rode it all through High School but very little since then. Its been hanging in my garage for years. I did put on new rubber about 9 years ago. It is all original except for the rubber. I was just looking at it and thinking I've got to get this thing on the road. by: 207.69.137.11

I'd like to buy a Schwinn Sports Tourer with a 22" frame either as a complete bike or as a frameset. I'd like the opaque green but yellow or opaque blue would be good as well and I would consider the other colors too. by: 216.16.194.115

In my last post I said I wanted to buy a 22" Sports Tourer but after having studied some photos I think I'd probably be better off with a 24" because the seat post extends so much higher above the top tube than alot offrames. Does anyone have a 24" Schwinn Sports Tourerthat they could measure the standover height and the seatpost from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube where the seatpost meets the top tube? Thanks by: 216.16.194.115

RE: Schwinn Sports Tourer posted by Jon on 9/2/2007 at 3:52:38 AM

I still ride my EK...... 1974 Opaque Blue Tourer that I originally purchased in Sept. '74. It's powered by the T/A crankset. The Brooks saddle is sagged a bit, white decals faded and missing the chrome spoke guard (tossed, in 1978). If I recall correctly, dealers at that time were getting $100 for a T/A crankset by itself. Also, I believe the previous, 1972 Tourer came equipped with a Reynolds frame? Maybe you experts out there can verify this? by: 72.82.188.10

Just bought one today in silver with brooks saddle 60 bones . can someone tell me about the rear gearing . its every other tooth. it looks like this bike was made for some crazy hills . there are a few paint chips and it seems like it was yellow first then silver . by: 63.195.53.109

To Maxxx, the rear freewheel assembly used 'every other tooth', or 'one-inch pitch' to easily accommodate getting into those low gears. 60 bucks is amazing for a ST!I bought a yellow '71 ST a month ago. It's a smooooth ride, but I desire opaque green in 22" or 24". Anyone? by: 68.181.252.133

Hello Jake, if you want to sell your yellow Sports Tourerlet me know I'll buy it. I'm having trouble with my emailbecause of hackers attacking the site so here is my phone number at work 512-219-3121 8-5 by: 70.244.207.56

Please help me to identify this old road frame that I rescued from the neighbors trash pile and gave a new life as my first fixie. It has a decent looking lugged steel frame from probably early to mid 80's is my guess. Frame has been painted so no writing or nameplate. Dropouts have deralier hanger built into them (and slant upwards about 30 degrees, not vertical/not horizontal), but does have rack mounting holes on dropouts. The only distinguishing mark is a triangle pointing downwards (toward BB) on the bottom side of the downtube, towards the headtube, where a clamp-on shifters or cable stops might go. There are no other cable stops or housing guides brazed on the frame but it does have 1 bottle cage mount on the downtube. SERIAL # : L855414Anybody have any clues??Thanks by: 67.126.221.34

RE:VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHTS: Trying to ID an old 10 speed frame posted by Derek Coghill on 8/16/2005 at 10:46:29 PM

Can't help with identifying the frame, I'm afraid, but beware! Fixies are terribly addictive! People may sneer, but do put a brake on it, especially if you live somewhere hilly; it makes life so much easier. I have 3 of the damn' things now......and another frame under the knife..... by: 212.140.125.209

I'm posting the note for good friend Jason Cloutier with regard to the afformentioned Boston Swap Meet.

Thank you, Peter Naiman ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````The organizer of the Boston Swap Meet at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street., Watertown, MA has cancelled the plaaned swap since there were not sufficient pre-registered sellers to cover costs, she cannot afford to go ahead with the event. I know that there are some out-of-town people who were planning on travelling to Boston for the weekend to attend both the swap meet and the Larz show. Rather than abandon the swap meet, I would like to try to make it happen.

Since the efforts to resurrect the Boston Bike Swaphave failed, I am inviting anybody that is interestedto stop by for a bicycle yard sale this weekend hereat my house. I should be available both Saturday andSunday. I have the inventory of two closed bike shopsand an accululation of stuff collected during the 16years that I have lived here. The swap meet will be for CR and Bob List members only.

I live in the northeast corner of Rhode Island, only 1mile from I-95. Please contact me off-list fordirections.

Sincerely,Jason CloutierPawtucket, RIContact Email: velo59@yahoo.com

by: 65.31.182.219

AGE / VALUE:Centurionposted by: Scott on 8/12/2005 at 6:32:05 PM

well I went to the thrift store today and there was a centurion road bike with all 600 stuff on it except the shifters, they were 105. it is priced at $60.00. tomorrow it will be 30% off or $40.00. I don't need another road bike but this seems like a good deal. what do I do??? maybe I should get it with the plan of re-selling it and making a few dollars on it. it is in really nice shape. I didn't even see any scratches on it. it's white in the middle and a smokey kinda pinkish purple on the ends. probably early '90s. its fairly tall probably 60cm or so,I couldn't measure it. does any one have an idea of its worth? is anyone interested in it? let me know. by: 71.105.150.80

RE:AGE / VALUE:Centurion posted by Bryant on 8/14/2005 at 4:13:29 PM

What kind of frame tubing does it have? If it is a named Cro-Moly (Reynolds, Columbus, Tange) Then I would guess anywhere between $125 and $160. Nice find if you can get it for $40. by: 71.248.40.34

RE:AGE / VALUE:Centurion posted by Fred on 8/15/2005 at 7:14:27 PM

Hi Scott;

My advice; buy the Centurion. I paid $150 for my Ironman Dave Scott edition and have never had a second thought. Take a look at mine shown on my site; "fredhaj.tripod.com". Go into the directory and select bike gallery. Then select the various makes gallery. scroll down to the Centurion page. Let me know how this comes out.

Fred by: 24.24.94.30

RE:AGE / VALUE:Centurion posted by scott on 8/16/2005 at 5:24:18 AM

I went back and it was gone. hopefully to a good home.Scott by: 71.105.150.80

Right. To a good home where at this moment the drop bars are being rotated skyward and a red milk crate is being coathanger wired to them. The full hobo treatment to follow. Buy these bikes when you first see, you are not the only one pondering whether to purchase these bicycles. Bums and tramps shop at thrift shops too. by: 24.72.49.104

RE:AGE / VALUE:Centurion posted by Scott on 8/17/2005 at 2:48:32 AM

Be nice!!! by: 71.105.150.80

WANTED: Pink Bunny Bikeposted by: James on 8/12/2005 at 3:36:54 AM

LOOKING FOR A 1960'S STING-RAY TYPE BUT WITH A STRAIGHT SEAT INSTEAD OF BANANA STYLE. CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT'S A SCHWINN OR OTHER BRAND. by: 70.17.205.26